Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-08-04

guessed that had run away from
home and advised me TO return, saying
that II was no country for boys.
could scarcely conceive, rs he gave me
this advice, which knew TO be good,
that be had without doubt killed a
dozen men-pcrhaps moro. But IL was
fact.
Hawkins left the boat at Sioux City
and wont TO Yankton. The next five
or six weeks spent in the vicinity of
that place working on various farms.
1 did not get very high wages, but l
managed 20 make my living. After
some time l hired out 70 man
who was driving some stock up the
river to the Yankton Indian Agency.
There were some two or three hundred
head and there were several men along
with them. To make this trip 1 had
invested in pony. We arrived at the
agency after several days, and finding
that my services would be no longer
required l started 20 return or my
pony. l was opposite Niobrara, Neb.,
and back some four or five miles from
the river, when l met two men on
horseback. each leading n string Of
five or six horses. Some of the ones
which were being led were wild and
were giving the men considerable
trouble. They hailed mo. and after,
as thought, asking an unnecessary
lot Of questions concerning who was,
where / came from and where ! was
going. one Of them said:
"rm sheriff down in Ncwbrasky an
my podner here Is dep'ty. We've got
some hosses here that was stole that
we're takin' back. They don't lead
very well, an I'll give you five dollars
to 60 with MS this afternoon and to-
morrer an help us"
"All right" said; where are you
going to crossP"
down at Choteau creek"
II should think there were better
That's the best croJsin' 'round
here--we know this country like a
book"
saw that no information was
wanted from me. so said no more and
went along with them. / soon saw
that they were remarkably well ac-
quainted with the country, and APP
peared to rather avoid what few roads
and trails there were than otherwise.
We soon struck Choteau creek and
started down it. frequently crossing
from one side to the other. ] noticed
that the men were both heavily armed,
and appeared rather nervous and in
considerable of q hurry. / thought
nothing Of this, however. rs nearly
everybody went armed, officers espe-
cially. and it was likely they wanted to
make the crossing that night, and pos
sibly they feared that the thieves
might attempt to recover the stock.
We came in sight of the river just aft
er sundown. We passed through sew
eral groves Of large cottonwood trees
and then turned up the river.
''Do you mind riding all night?"
asked the sheriff
NO." replied.
"I'll make it a couple o. dollars ex-
ira. We want % cross up here and get
cross the pint of the reservation an
over to Red Bird on the Niobrara fore
we stop"
go ahead, I'll stay with you"
A little later i heard the sound Of
hoofs behind us. This gave me no un-
easiness. but the moment ii struck the
tsssU : F0r frIN fhnNs
Winchesters from where they were fas-
tened on the saddle and began to look
back intently. moment later dozen
horseman came around the point Of
bluff at full sped. Several of the party
fired at us. My companions returned
the shots and dashed away, leaving the
horses they were leading. / had no
doubt that the thieves from whom they
had recovered the horses were in pur-
suit, so followed as fast as l could. We
were in an open place near the river
and headed forsom cottonwoods about
a quarter of a mile distant. Our horses
were on the run, and though, when /
glanced back, saw that our pursuers
were gaining on us. still we could easily
have reached the timber ahead Of them
had not shot from the party behind
hit the deputy sheriff. He fell forward
and struck the ground heavily while
his horse dashed away. The sheriff
stopped and returned to him while n
ball whistled so uncomfortably close to
my own ears that concluded to do the
same. Our pursucrs came up and sur
rounded us. 1t was growing quite
dark by this time and could not we'll
make out their features. though /
thouGht they looked more like farmers
than horse-thieves. In a moment my
suspicious were confirmed.
al reckon we've got ye this time"
said one OF the party, "an' We bet wen
show ye what this ere vigilance COM
mittee considers good for -thievesr'
The wounded man was taken up and
placed on horseback. two men were de-
tailed to guard each one Of us aud we
started back. tried to explain my
connection with the others, but was
silenced by the gruff voice Of the lead
er, who assured me that | would have
n chance TO explain things at the trial.
This relieved me somewhat, as | had
no doubt that | could easily prove my
innocence. We rode till about midi
night when we came to a small cluster
Of houses called Mineral Springs. We
drew up before long log house which
proved 10 be a saloon and hotel com
bined. The bar-roOm was liz up and
there were a number Of men inside and
horses tied outside. They gave loud
cheer when they saw the prisoners. and
there was a great deal of hurried con-
versation. We were taken inside and
placed under guard. Twenty or thir-
ty men gathered in the room, when a |
man said: